Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Nyhan for his presentation. When representatives of the board appear before the committee, I wish to state, as I always do, that I have an interest in the industry. I am a director of a greyhound track. I want to put on the record that I have a vested interest in the industry.

I welcome the report. The "Prime Time Investigates" programme on the industry a few months ago did serious damage to it. We cannot deny that or put our heads in the sand about it. The report shows there is considerable work in progress, which I welcome, but still much to be done.

I will concentrate on the traceability aspect. We have foolproof traceability in our cattle industry and we must have the same in the greyhound industry. The sooner we have that up and running, the better. The fact that every dog is microchipped should make that easy enough to operate. It is essential to know where every dog is at any given time.

Mr. Nyhan said 16 submissions have been received for the provision of care centres. They would get dogs reaccustomed to a different way of life. When does Mr. Nyhan expect to have them up and running? How many greyhounds would it be possible for those care centres to cater for in a calendar year?

A startling element is the level of financial commitment to the care fund from the board from sponsorships, admission receipts, restaurant packages and tote profits. It should be an ongoing fund and it would be of major benefit in getting to where we want to get in this regard. One figure in the report that struck me is that foster homes have been found for 51 dogs to date in this country. That is a long way off where we want to get to on that point..

Mr. Nyhan said different reports were received on the help line and three of them were referred on welfare grounds. Whose responsibility is it to prosecute if breaches of welfare are found? To where will they be progressed? Is the law adequate to ensure they are progressed to the conclusion to which we would want them to be brought?

Another most welcome initiative is with respect to the euthanasia of a greyhound. One of the most disturbing aspects of that "Prime Time Investigates" programme was when it showed a dog being taken into a knackery and then being disposed of.

It is essential to the industry that into the future only a veterinary surgeon can euthanise a greyhound, whatever the reason for it. The image of what happened to the greyhound in the knackery did untold damage to the industry. For me, it was probably one of the most disturbing parts of the programme. In regard to the statutory instrument that is being prepared, as politicians we will do all we can to keep the pressure on to have it introduced as quickly as possible because it is essential.

On the export of greyhounds, I accept that the board does not have any responsibility for the greyhounds once they leave the country. Is there a job to be done at EU level to ensure that greyhounds leaving this country for Spain or the UK, to which the vast majority of our greyhounds are exported, do not end up in a country where welfare standards are not of the level required? In Mr. Nyhan's view, is there something we can do to improve EU policy in this area?

Returning to the programme, a member of the veterinary profession made claims regarding practices in the industry. Have those claims been investigated? If what he said is correct, there are serious actions required. If not, he has breached the ethics of his profession. He made very serious accusations in regard to the use of prohibited substances, which portrayed the industry in a very poor light. I would like to know what follow-up has taken place in regard to the accusations made by that particular individual. As a veterinary practitioner he should be able to stand over what he said in that programme. If what he said is true, the situation is serious. If not, it is equally as serious.

Reports of the doping of greyhounds and breaches of regulations in terms of the use of prohibited substances reflects badly on the industry. High-profile trainers have made the headlines in terms of investigations regarding the use of prohibited substances. In regard to the cases currently under way, where are they at and will sanctions be imposed? The "Prime Time" programme referenced a high-profile trainer. Is the legislation introduced a couple of months ago sufficiently robust to enable these investigations to be concluded rapidly? In the horse racing industry in Ireland, a trainer found guilty of a breach of regulations regarding the use of prohibited substances is rapidly suspended. One particular high-profile trainer was suspended for two to three years. The investigations in regard to the greyhound industry are hanging over it like a cloud. I would welcome an update on where they are at, when they are likely to be concluded, and if people are found guilty, sanctions will be imposed. There was a report in the media recently in regard to a greyhound that ran in all of the classics having tested for a prohibited substance. This did serious reputational damage to the industry. I would like an update in regard to all of the investigations.

Mr. Nyhan mentioned that 5,149 samples have been taken, of which 13, or 0.25%, were positive. While 0.25% is low, I would like to know if the breaches were serious in nature and if there are investigations under way in each case. I refer to Horse Racing Ireland again. There would be a very plausible reason a horse would fail a test. While a 0.25% failure rate in the greyhound industry is low, the objective should be an industry in which no tests are failed. In regard to the 13 test failures, what was the level of breach and what is the status of the investigations in that regard?

The report is detailed and there is much work in progress in regard to it. As someone who is involved with greyhounds and as a member of this committee I welcome the report and I compliment Bord na gCon on getting to grips with the issues highlighted in the "RTÉ Investigates" programme. It is important to stress that the welfare of greyhounds was always a priority. It did not just become a priority after the programme. There may have been room for improvement in regard to euthanasia and the rehoming of greyhounds, but the welfare of greyhounds was always a priority. The report references the need for assistance where a greyhound is injured on a track. As someone who owns a greyhound that was injured on a track, that is a welcome initiative.

This report shows the commitment of Bord na gCon to protecting the reputation of the industry into the future. It enables us to stand behind the industry. Prior to this engagement with the witnesses, the committee discussed its work programme in private session. The funding provided to the greyhound industry from the Exchequer is a matter for discussion in December. The report before us today makes it easier to stand behind that funding for the industry.